Wardrobe case



J. RITTER, JR

April 7, 1931.

WARDROBE CASE Filed Jan. '26, 1929 um, I

Fen |.l.\\ ll I l llvill I INVENTOR. W4 Mfg BY fizo mfllfmyvilmefl ATTORNEY:

Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JULIUS BITTER, an, or nactive, Wisconsin. ASSIGNOR T0 HARTMANN TRUNK GOM- PANVY, or RACINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN WARDROBE CASE Application filed January 26, 1929. Serial NO. 335,292. 7

This invention relates to improvements in wardrobe cases, and more particularly to a curtain flap attachment for wardrobe cases or trunk sections.

In many types of wardrobe cases or trunks one section thereof is divided into compartments by partitions, the compartments being adapted to contain and keep separate toilet articles and smaller articles of apparel. Also,,the top or side of said compartment section is closed by acurtain stretched thereover which is disengageably held in position gaps between the curtain and compartment walls to prevent undesired shifting of articles from one compartment to another.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a unitary compartment section curtain having attaching flap portions for each compartment so that each compartment may be covered by the securement of the flaps thereadjacent regardless of the attachment or disposition of other portions of the curtain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a-wardrobe case in which one section thereof is secured to the other section by hinge members which are readily disengageable'when the sections are in a certain open position with respect to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wardrobe case in which the adjacent section edge portions are provided with interfitting valance members to seal the joints against the entrance of dust and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wardrobe case in which the valance portion of one section is formed with opposed tongue-like portions adapted to substantially enter grooves therefor in the other section to form a strengthened overlapped joint and to prevent lateral displacement.

A further object of the invention is to provide awardrobe case which is ofvery simple construction, is strong and durable, and is well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the improved wardrobe case, and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters indicate the sam parts in all of the views:

Fig. lis a vertical sectional view of the improved wardrobe case shown in open position; I

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the compartment section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; V

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view showing a snap fastener for an end portion of the curtain;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4.4 of Fig. 3; V

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side View of the lower portion of the wardrobe case in closed position, with part broken away and in section to show the engagement of certain valance portions Fig. 6 is a sectional view takenon line 66 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentarydetail sectional view of. the wardrobe case sections in open position showing the disengageable hinges.

Referring now more particularlyto, the drawing it will-appear that the numeral 10 indicates the wardrobe section of a ward robe case or container having a lower right angular extension 10,. A compartment section. 11 is hingedly connected to the outer end portion of the extension 10" and is movable to close the wardrobe section. Said wardrobesection is fitted at its upperend portion with hanger tracks 12 to receive hangers (not shown), from which garments may be suspended. An adjustableretainer bar 13 medially engages the garments to hold the same in place. j

The compartment section 11' is divided by a plurality of transverse partitions 14 and several inner partitions 15 at right angles thereto, into a plurality of compartments 16. In order to cover said compartments and protect the contents thereof a fabric curtain 17 is provided. Said curtain is disposed slightly below the side walls of the compartment section and at its outer end portion it is secured toa transverse bar or rail 18. The opposite or inner end portion of said curtain is adapted to be extended over the end partition 14 and is provided with a row of spaced female snap fastening members 19 arranged to releasably engage spaced male snap fastening members 20 on the partition 14. r

A particular feature of the invention resides in the formation of the curtain 17 with several spaced, transversely extending, inwardly projecting flaps 21 which are positioned ,to correspond with the positions of the intermediate partitions 14. Each flap 21 carries spaced female snap fastening members 22 to releasably engage male snap fastening members 23 on the upper side -por tions of said partitions.

WVhen the curtain is secured, as shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the curtain is held down tightly over each compartment, effectively closing each compartment, and this is especially desirable when the case is closed, as it prevents the undesired removal of articles from one compartment to another. Also, the disposition of the snap fastening means permits various portions of the curtain to be readily detached to afford access to some of the compartments.

The end wall 24 of the extension portion 10' carries near its upperedge portion a .pair of spaced hinge sockets or casings 25. Each hinge socket is formedwith an upper inwardly projecting lug 26 spaced from the wall 24; to provide a reduced entrance slot 27. The bottom portion of the compartment section 11 carries at its inner end portion a pairof spaced, projecting complementary hook hinge members 28 having curved end portions 29 adapted to extend through the slots 27 into the casings 25. This hinge arrangement permits the case sections 'tobe hingedly moved with respect to each .other in the ordinary manner and in addition thereto, when the case sections are opened wide.,with respect to each other they maybe separated by withdrawing the curved portions 29 through theopenings .27. The compartment section may then be positioned where desired for convenience in packing.

The outer edge portions of the walls of the wardrobesection and extension have secured thereon grooved valance members 30 to receive therein the rounded edge portions 31 of the walls of the compartmentsection, as showninFig. 6, and thereby provide a tight, dust-proof joint. Also the inner end portions of the side walls of the compartment section are formed as projecting tongues 32, which, when the case is closed, have a substantial engagement with adjacent portions of the extension 10, thereby strengthening the joint and tending to prevent lateral displacement of one section .with respect to the other.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the improved wardrobe case is of simple and novel construction, and is well adapted for the purposes described.

hat is claimed as the invention is:

-1. In a. container-having a compartment section with partitions therein defining the compartments, afleXible curtain covering .eX- tending the entire length of said compartment section and secured at one end portion thereto, and detachably securable at its other end portion to the corresponding end portion of said section, and means for detachably securing intermediate portions of said curtain covering to said compartment partitions.

2. In a container having a compartment section with partitions therein defining the compartments, a curtain covering for said compartment section secured at one end portion to an end portion ofthe section,-snap fastener means for detachably securing the other end portion of the curtain covering to the corresponding end portion of said section, said curtain covering being formed with transverse flaps corresponding in :position with the position of the transverse partitions and overlapping'the outer edge portions of the same, and snap fastonermeans for detachably securingsaid flaps tothe overlapped portions of the partitions.

3. In a container having a compartment section-with partitions therein defining the compartments, a curtain covering for said compartment section secured at one end portion to an end portion of the section,:fastening means for securing the other end portion of the curtain covering to the corresponding end portion of said section, said curtain being formed with flaps corresponding in position with the position of the partitions and overlapping the outer edge portions of the same, and fastening meansfor securing said 'flaps-totl e overlapped portions ofthe partitions.

In testimony where0f,'I aflix my signature.

JULIUS 'RITTER, JR. 

